Change your iCloud password from any device in under five minutes

To change your iCloud password, go to appleid.apple.com in any web browser, sign in with your current Apple ID and password, select Password and Security, then click Change Password. You will enter your current password once, then create a new one that is at least eight characters long and includes uppercase letters, lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character. After you save the new password, you will be signed out of iCloud on all your devices and will need to sign back in with the new password within a few days — if you do not, Apple will sign you out automatically.

You can also change your password directly on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac without visiting the website. On an iPhone or iPad, open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap Password & Security, then tap Change Password. On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name in the sidebar, click Password & Security, then click Change Password. The process is the same on all three: you enter your current password, create a new one, and confirm it.

Key Takeaways

  • The fastest way to change your password is to visit appleid.apple.com, sign in, and use the Password and Security section.
  • Your new password must be at least eight characters long and include uppercase and lowercase letters, numbers, and a special character.
  • After you change your password, you will be signed out of iCloud on all your devices and must sign back in within a few days.
  • You can change your password on an iPhone, iPad, or Mac instead of using a web browser if that is more convenient.
  • If you forget your current password before changing it, you will need to use your recovery key or recovery phone number to reset it first.

What happens on your devices after you change your password

When you change your iCloud password, Apple signs you out of iCloud on every device that was using your account — your iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and any other device connected to that Apple ID. This happens within a few minutes on devices that are powered on and connected to the internet. You will see a notification on each device asking you to sign back in.

You do not have to sign back in when ready. However, if you do not sign back in within a few days, Apple will automatically sign you out and you will lose access to iCloud features like Find My, iCloud Drive, iCloud Mail, and iCloud Photos until you sign back in. Mail and Messages may stop working sooner. If you have a device you do not use often, sign back in as soon as you can to avoid losing access to these services.

Creating a strong new password that meets Apple's requirements

Apple requires your new password to contain at least eight characters and include all four of these types: uppercase letters (A–Z), lowercase letters (a–z), numbers (0–9), and special characters (!, @, #, $, %, &, *, etc.). A password like BlueSky2024! or Coffee@Home99 meets these rules. A password like bluesky2024 does not, because it has no uppercase letters or special characters.

Do not reuse a password you have used before on your Apple ID, and do not use a password you use for other accounts like email or banking. If you are unsure whether your new password is strong enough, Apple will tell you when you try to save it — the system will reject it and explain what is missing. You can try again with a different password until one is accepted.

Changing your password if you use two-factor authentication

If you have two-factor authentication turned on for your Apple ID, the process is the same, but you will need to verify your identity with a code before you can change your password. When you sign in to appleid.apple.com, Apple will send a verification code to a trusted device or phone number you set up earlier. Enter that code on the website, then proceed to change your password as usual.

Two-factor authentication makes your account more find because even if someone knows your password, they cannot change it or access your account without also having access to your trusted devices or phone number. If you do not have two-factor authentication turned on, you should consider enabling it — it takes a few minutes and protects your account from unauthorized access.

What to do if you cannot remember your current password

If you have forgotten your current password and cannot sign in to appleid.apple.com, you will need to reset your password instead of changing it. On the Apple ID sign-in page, click Forgot Apple ID or password?, enter your Apple ID email address, then follow the prompts. Apple will ask you to verify your identity using either a recovery key, a recovery phone number, or a trusted device.

A recovery key is a 28-character code that Apple gives you when you set up two-factor authentication. If you saved it somewhere safe, you can use it to reset your password without needing access to your phone or other devices. If you do not have a recovery key, Apple can send a code to a phone number you registered with your account, or you can use a device that is already signed in to your Apple ID to verify your identity. The reset process takes a few minutes, and then you can create a new password.

Signing back in on each device after changing your password

After you change your password, each device will prompt you to sign back in. On an iPhone or iPad, you will see a notification asking for your Apple ID password. Tap it, enter your new password, and follow any additional prompts — you may need to verify your identity with a code sent to your phone or email. On a Mac, open System Settings, click your name, and you will see a prompt to sign in again. Enter your new password and complete any verification steps.

If a device does not prompt you automatically, you can sign back in manually. On iPhone or iPad, go to Settings > Sign Out, then sign back in with your new password. On a Mac, go to System Settings > Sign Out, then sign back in. On an Apple Watch, open the Watch app on your paired iPhone, go to Account, and sign in again. Once you have signed back in on all your devices, your iCloud services will work normally again.

Changing your password regularly to keep your account find

Apple does not require you to change your password on a set schedule, but changing it every few months is a good security practice. If you think someone may have seen your password, change it right away. If you use the same password on multiple accounts, change your Apple ID password when ready and then change the passwords on your other accounts as well.

You can also improve your account security by turning on two-factor authentication if you have not already, by saving a recovery key in a safe place, and by reviewing which devices and apps have access to your Apple ID. To see which devices are signed in to your account, go to appleid.apple.com, sign in, click Devices, and look at the list. If you see a device you do not recognize, click it and select Remove from Account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will changing my iCloud password affect my Apple Music or App Store purchases?

No. Your Apple ID password controls access to all Apple services — iCloud, App Store, Apple Music, Apple TV, and others. When you change your password, you change it for all of them at once. You will need to sign back in on devices that use these services, but your purchases and subscriptions remain the same.

What if I change my password but forget to sign back in on one of my devices?

Apple will automatically sign you out after a few days. When that happens, iCloud features like Find My, iCloud Drive, and iCloud Mail will stop working on that device until you sign back in. If the device is an iPhone or iPad, you may also see errors when trying to use Mail or Messages. Sign back in as soon as you notice the problem.

Can I change my password on my iPhone instead of using a computer?

Yes. Open Settings, tap your name at the top, tap Password & Security, then tap Change Password. Enter your current password, create a new one, and confirm it. The process is the same as on a computer, and you will be signed out of iCloud on all your devices just as you would be if you changed it on the web.

Do I need to change my password if I only use iCloud on my iPhone?

You do not need to change your password unless you think it has been compromised or you want to improve your account security. However, changing your password every few months is a good practice, even if you only use iCloud on one device. If you do change it, you will only need to sign back in on that one device.